Automatic reclosing circuit breaker



July 10, 195] A. VAN RYAN ETAL 0 AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed March 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 10, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ETAL AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER 10 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed March 23, 1944 z l I I I I I INVENTORS Aim/amy V/wf'mv (km Jam/015,?

July 10, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ETAL AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed March 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet, 4

July 10, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ET AL AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 23, 1944 INVENTORS IVT//O/VV %AN/?mm (ma Ja /mmm Afro/?Max 71 93 ;u 93 I 90 J July 10, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ETAL 2,560,529

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed March 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Shet 7 69 INVENTORS July 10, 195] A. VAN RYAN ETAL AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 23, 1944 /I///l////////////////////l//////l/////////fll//lI/////////// %Jaw y 10, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ET-AL 2,560,529

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed March 23, 1944 10 She'ets-Shefet lO s INVENTORS /4/1/7//0/W %im/?mm BY &m Ja /#Ame Patented July 10, 1951 AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Anthony Van Ryan, South Milwaukee, and Carl Schindler, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to Mc- Graw Electric Company, a corporation of Dela- Ware Application March 23, 1944, Serial No. 527,'724

13 Claims. l

This invention relates to an automatic reclosing circuit breaker and .is particularly directed to a circuit breaker which is adapted to be placed in a distribution system ahead of several fused sections of the line.

In distribution systems of the type 'hereinabove set forth it frequently happens that a fault occurs on a branch line and that this fault is, in the majority of the cases, only a temporary fault. However, if no provision is made to take care of such a condition, the fuse protecting such branch line would immediately blow and the service would be interrupted on the branch line until the fuse was replaced by a lineman.

This invention is designed to overcome the above noted defects, and objects of this invention are to provide an automatic reclosing'circuit breaker which may be placed ahead of several fused sections in a distribution system, and which is so arranged that it will have at least a first quick response to overload followed by a delayed reclosing and subsequent responses, the device in the subsequent responses having approximately the time current characteristic of a fuse and thus being coordinated with the fuses in the distribution system associated with the circuit breaker.

In greater detail, objects of this invention are to provide an automatic reclosing circuit breaker which under the conditions hereinabove set forth will first quickly open and thus protect the fuse on the branch line where the fault occurred, if the fault is temporary, and in subsequent operations will have substantially the time current characteristics of a fuse, thereby allowing the fuse in the branch line, in the event the fault persists, to blow and in this manner preventing repeated or permanent interruption of the service on other sections of the system protected by the circuit breaker.

Further objects are to provide an automatic repeating circuit breaker which will respond to an overloadand will again close after a p'edetermined interval. which will lock out after a predetermined number of Operations if they occur in sufficientl'y rapid succession, but which will reset itself for the full number of Operations if they occur at suiliciently spaced intervals, which is provided with biasing means temporarily restrained and released for lock-out action after a predetermined number of operations occurring in rapid succession, which may be manually tripped and manually reset, and which will indicate when it has been locked out, and which is free for automatic operation even while it is being manually reset.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which has a quick opening and a quick closing stroke for the contacts whether it is automatically or manually operated, and in which a magnetically urged plunger initiates the opening stroke of the contacts when the plunger is traveling at its highest rate of speed, spring means being provided for maintaining or even increasing the speed of travel of the movable contacts after the initial portion of their opening stroke, the sprin means also being effective in securing a very quick closing stroke independently of the' speed at which the plunger is retracted.

Further objects are to provide an automatic reclosing circuit breaker which is oil immersed and mounted in a metal can or housing open at the top, in which the Operating parts are suspended from a metal top for the can and can be readily removed without disturbing the can and which is so constructed that it has hydraulic time delay and cumulative lock-out means.

Further objects are to provide an automatic reclosing circuit breaker which may be adjusted to have either one quick opening stroke followed by an opening operation having characteristics approximating that of a fuse, or which may have two or more quick opening strokes depending on the requirements of the user, with subsequent actions following the time current characteristics of a fuse, or which may be adjusted so that all of its Operations have the time current characteristics of a fuse, which may be so designed that any time delay desired may be obtained before the circuit breaker recloses, in which the parts are readily replaced with other parts to adapt the circuit breaker for different current ratings, in which different time current characteristics may be obtained for subsequent Operations of the circuit breaker by adjustment of the parts for a certain range and by a suitable selection and interchange of certain parts of the apparatus for a greater range, and in which the utmost ease is ail'orded in changing parts of the circuit breaker, the Construction being such that free access may be had to any of the parts of the circuit breaker.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which is so made that it has a pronounced arc extinguishing action without necessitating the use of a blow-out magnet, in which means are provided for quickly interrupting the are resulting from opening the circuit breaker, and in which the arc is magnetically blown outwardly against bafiles and thus quickly extinguished.

Further objects are to provide a novel form of contact assembly which forms a complete and separate 'assembly in itself, which may be removed as a unit from the circuit breaker and another contact assembly substituted therefor without disturbing other portions of the circuit breaker, and which, though operated by a magnetic plunger in the main body of the circuit breaker, nevertheless is not mechanically connected to the magnetic plunger.

Further objects are to provide a contact assembly in which the Contacts have not only a quick opening motion but also have a quick closing motion to minimize wear on the contacts, and in which the quick closing motion is obtained independently of the speed of retraction of the magnetic plunger.

Further obj ects are to provide a circuit breaker which is easy to produce and easy to assemble, which may be readily partially disassembled to allow substitution of different portions of the circuit breaker, and which is so designed that all of the parts may be readily inspected without dismantling the circuit breaker.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the circuit breaker. r

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Figure, 1 showing the circuit breaker in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 showing the circuit breaker in open position and in locked out position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper portion of the circuit breaker with a part broken away.

Figure '7 is a sectional view on the line l-l of Figure 8 showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the position of the parts when the switch is open.

Figure 8 is an end view of the contact assembiy with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, such View showing the switch in closed position in full lines and in open position in dotted lines.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line n m of Figures 7 and 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line !l-H of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line i2-i2 of Figure 2.

Figure 13 is a sectional view on the line [l-n of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line M M of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a part of Figure 14 showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 16 is a view corresponding to Figure '7 showing a modified form of the invention and showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the position of the parts when the switch is open.

Figure 17 is a sectional view showing one of the stationary contacts and one of the movable contacts in switch closed position.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the parts in full lines when the switch is closed and showing in dotted lines the position the parts assume during the initial portion of the opening stroke of the switch.

Figure 19 is a View showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is opened and in dotted lines the position of the parts just prior to the initiation of the motion of the switch towards closed position.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified form of the invention, such View showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the position of the parts when the switch is open.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, it will be seen that thecircuit breaker comprises a metal can l and a metal cover 2. The can is provided with a bracket 3 so that it may be attached to a suitable support. The cover carries the insulators 4 and 5 which respectively carry the line and load terminals indicated generally at 6 and 1. Each of these tei'ninals is provided with a conductor 8 having a downward- 1y extending portion housed in the upper part of a fiber tube 9. Upwardly extending conductors o are carrled by the cap and are located immediately below the corresponding conductors 8 to provide spark gaps whose breakdown value is lower than the fiashover value of the insulators 4 and 5. The top 2 is securely attached to the tank or can l by means of a plurality of bolts li, see Figure 5, secured to the inner side of the can and extending upwardly and having threaded upper ends upon which the clamping nuts !2 are screwed, suitable gaskets, not shown, being positioned between the nuts and the adjacent portions of the top 2 in accordance with the usual practice. The upper portion of the can or tank l is provided with a beaded upper edge l3 and a gasket l4 is positioned between the cover or cap 2 and the beaded upper edge l3 of the can I, such cover having an overhanging skirt portion as shown in Figure 2. The cover or top 2 is provided with an eyelet !5 adapted to receive a hoisting line so that the circuit breaker may be readily hoisted into position.

All of the working parts of the circuit breaker are Suspended from and carried by the cap or cover 2 as is apparent from an examination of Figures 2, 3 and 4, and the can l is filled with oil up to the dotted line Mi.

The can is imperforate and is open only at its top so that there is no chance of leaking of the oil from the can. It is preerable to line the major portion of the can with a fiber sheet lining as indicated at Eli] and 98.

All of the working parts of the circuit breaker are Suspended directly from the metal top '2. This top is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting lugs 09 which are internally threaded and receive screw threaded studs 20, as shown in Figure 4. Tubular insulating supporting pillars 2! are internally threaded at both ends and are screwed on the screw threaded studs 20. The lower ends of these pillars receive screws 22, see Figure 3, which pass through the body portion 23 of an electromagnetic devicc, such body portion being held in place by means of nuts 24 screwed on the screws 22, as shown in Figure 3.

It is preferable to provide the insulating pillars 2| with spaced openings 25 to allow circulation of the oil therethrough to prevent the formation of air spaces and to thus increase the insulating characteristics of the pillars. The head portion 23 of the electromagnetic device is formed of magnetic material and a solenoid or energizing winding 26 is positioned below the head portion andfletchably held in place by means of a. bottom magnetic member 21, suitable insulation surrounding the coil '26 and being interposed between such coil and the portions 23 and 21. The coil itself is wound about an insulating sleeve or cylinder 28.-, Magnetic spacer members 20 are positioned between the'members 23 and 21. Cap screws 29', see Figure 13, extend through the member 23 and into the upper portion oi the members 29. Bolts or screws 30 provided with clamping nuts 3l are screwed into the member 23 and Carry the nuts 3l at their lower side. The shape of the members 29 is shown in dotted lnes in Figure 12. The bolts 30 also hold an upper insulating portion 53 of a' unitary switch assembly indicated generally at 33 in place.

A magnetic plunger 34 loosely slides within the insulating sleeve 28 and is provided with a non-magnetic plunger ci' extension 35 rigidly carried by the magnetic main portion 34 of the plunger. The upper portion of the plunger is slotted as indicated at 36.

It is to be noted that the sleeve 28 has its upper portion fitted within an annularly recessed part 31 in the head or body portion 23 of the device. This recessed portion 31 communicates by means of a transverse passage 38 with an upwardly extending passage 39, see Figures 2, 3 and 12.

It is to be noted that the magnetic plunger 34 slides through the nagnetic portion 23 and therefore the plunger 34 is covered 'with a nonmagnetic plating. It is also to be noted that the non-magnetic plunger 35, which is rigid with the magnetic plunger 34 and forms a continuation thereof, freely passes through a niagnetic plug 40 which fits within the fiber or insulating sleeve 26 and also has a reduced portion that fits within the lower magnetic member 21. apparent that a magnetic yoke portion is provided externally of the energizing windlng or coil 26 and that when current is passing through the coil there is a tendency to pull the magnetic plunger 34 downwardly from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3.

It is to be noted that the magnetic plug 40, as will be seen from Figures 3 and 4, is provided with a transverse slot 4l in order to reduce eddy Currents. This slot may extend downwardly as far as desired. It is to be noted also that a bowed spring Washer 42 is provided and rests upon the plug 40 and acts as a cushion forthe plunger at the lower portion of its stroke, oil being trapped beneath the Washer 42 and serving to cushion the blow of the plunger at the final portion of its stroke. It is to be noted also that the slot 36 in the upper end of the plunger 34 allows free discharge of the oil when the plunger is nearing the final portion of its stroke, thus allowing the plunger to acquire considerable additional speed for the last portion of its stroke. The purpose of this will be seen as the description p'oceeds for it is at the latter portion of the stroke of the plunger that the contacts are first separated and consequently the speed of the initial portion of the separating stroke of the contacts is high. This speed of opening of the contacts, as will be seen as the description proceeds, is maintained or even increased by spring means.

It is to be noted that the insulating bushings 4 and 5 have extensions' that project downwardly into the can I, as shown most clearly in Figura 4. It is also to be noted that the line terminal 6, see Figure 1, is connected directly with one of the Thus it is ,i

stationary contacts indicated generally at 43 in 'Figura 4 by means o! an'insulated conductor 44.

This conductor is provided with a terminal member 45 which is clamped in place by meansor a removable nut 46. The other stationary terminal of the switch means indicated generally at 41 in Figure 4 is connected to one end of the coil 26 by means of the insulated conductor 48. 'such conductor having a terminal portion' 49 which is removably held in' place by means ot the nut 50. The other end of the coil 26 is connected by means oi' a suitable Connector indicated generally at 5| to an insulated conductor 52 which extends upwardly to the load terminal 1, see Figures 4 and 1.

The switch assembly is a unitary structure and is adapted to be positioned and removed as a unit. It is detachably held to the body portion 23, see Figura 3, by means of the bolts 30 and nuts 3l. It is readily removable by merely removing the nuts 3l and detaching the conductors 44 and 48, see Figure 4. It is to be noted particularly that no portion of the switch mechanism is mechanically connected to the plunger. The plunger merely bears downwardly upon a portion of the switch mechanism and therefore it is not necessary to remove any links, levers or other members before the switch assembly can be removed as a unit.

The switch assembly can be best understood from reference to Figures 7 through 10. The switch assembly includes the transverse upper portion 53 of insulating material having downwardly turned side walls 54 provided with apertures 55 which are closed by removable insulating plates 56. These plates carry the stationary contacts 43 and 41 and the apertures 55 are large enough to allow the ready removal of the stationary contacts therethrough for inspection or renewal. Intermediate insulating partitions 51 are spaced inwardly from the side walls 54, as shown most clearly in Figure B, and held in place by means of transverse pins 58 provided with suitable insulating spacer sleeves 59, see Figures '1 and 8. Insulating bafiies 60 and 6| are positioned between the side walls 54 and the intermediate partitions 51 and are held in place in any suitable manner, as by means of pins 62, see Figure 9. It is preferable to form the housing 53, 54 and the intermediate partitions 51 and the bafiles 60 and 6| of the switch assembly of fiber, though other insulating materials could be used.

The lower `portion of the walls 54 are joined by means of a transverse pin 63 provided with an insulating spacer sleeve 64. This pin and spacer sleeve, as will be seen from Figure 9, constitutes a stop for limiting the downward motion of the movable switch contacts. The movable switch contacts are indicated generally by the reference character 65, see Figures 9 and 11. They comprise a pair of side plates 66 which have laterally turned slanting upper portions 61 and which have spaced lower portions 68, see Figure 11, such lower portions being Secured to an insulating lever or arm 69, such arm being rigidly attached to fianged portions 10 of a sleeve 1| which has a cut away central portion, as shown in Figure 10. ,The sleeve is mounted for rotation on a pin or shat 12 which is supported by the side walls 54. Two of these movable contacts are provided, as shown in Figure 8, and the upper faces of these movable contacts, as will be seen from Figures 9 and 11, are provided with wear pads or contact faces 13. The movable contacts 65 are electrically connected together by means of the conducting rod 14, such rod being provided with an insulating spacer 15 provided with an enlarged central poraae sso tion 18, as shown in Figure 8. The rod 14 is threaded at its ends and receives the clamping nuts 11 so as to secure good electrical contact.

It is to be noted that a very rigid connection between the movable contacts 65 and their insuiating arms 89 is obtained by the construction illustrated in Figures 9 and 11. It is to be noted that the transverse or shouldered portions which join the intermediate part of the members 85 with the spaced portions 88, see Figure 11, are seated within notches 66' formed in the insulating arms (or levers 89, see Figure 9. It is to be noted from Figures 7 and 8 that the intermediate partitions 51 are cut out and provide stops against which the spacer member 15 of the movable contact assembly strikes when the switch is in switch closed position. V

The stationary contacts 43 and 41 are carried by the removable plates 56. They are of simila construction and one, namely, the contact 43, will be described. Referring to Figure 9, it will be seen that this contact includes an upstanding plate or strap like portion 18 bolted to the plate 58 by means of the bolt 19 and provided with a horizontal portion 80 terminating in upwardly extending, inwardly turned portions 8l, see Figures 8 and 9. These inwardly turned portions surround the contacting part 82 of the upper contact and loosely hold it in place and furnish a pivot or rocking point for such contact. The outer ends of the contact portions 82 are upturned, as shown in Figure 9, to form a cam like guiding face for the corresponding movable contact. A headed pin 83 loosely passes through the contact portion 82 and through the horizontal portion 80 and is urged downwardly by means of a spring 84 hearing against a transverse pin 85 carried by the headed pin 83. The horizontal portion forms a lower stop to limit the downward motion of the Contacting portion 82 when the movable contacts are out of engagement with the stationary contacts. It is to be noted that the movable contacts sweep in an arc very close to the inner edges of the baflles 60 and SI, and the manner in which the conductors 44 and 48, see Figure 9, are arranged causes a magnetic field to be produced which blows any arc resulting from separation of the contacts to the right into the arc chutes or spaces between the battles and between the bailles and the body of the switch unit and thus assist materially in extinguishing the are. For example, the conductors 44 and 48 are brought in to their respective stationary contacts in a curving sweep, as shown in Figures 4 and 9. The efiect of the magnetic fiux increases as the value of the current being interrupted increases.

It is to be noted from reference to Figures 7 and 10 that a cam member indicated generally at 86 is formed integrally with the sleeve portion 1l and consequently this cam is rigid with the arms 89 of the movable contacts. From reference to Figures 2, 3 and 7 it will be seen that the cam 86 is provided with an outwardly extending, curved, lower face 81 and an outwardly extending, flat, upper face 88 which meet in an outwardly projecting point 89. A hardened steel roller 90 is carried between a pair of arms 9| formed of insulating material and is freely mounted for rctation upon a pin 92 extending through such arms. The outer end of the pin 92 carries a pair of loosely, revolubly mounted, grooved, pulley like members 93, see Figure 8, over which the ends of a pair of springs 94 are hooked. The springs 94 have their inner ends hooked over the shaft 'IE and thus the roller is constantly urged towards the shaft 12 by means of the springs 94 and is thus held in permanent contact with the cam member 88. It is preferable to form the cam member 88 with hardened cam faces 81 and 88 upon which the roller travels, as will be apparent herelnafter.

Means are provided for moving the roller with reference to the cam 86 upon motion of the magnetic plunger. This means comprises a pair of roughly triangular-shaped levers 95, see Figura 7, pivoted upon a pin 96 carried by an inverted U- shaped metal frame 91 rigidly secured to the upper portion 53 of the switch assembly. The member acts as a power transmitting member for transmitting power from the magnetically moved plunger to the roller 90. The power transmitting member 95, it will be seen, is pivoted to rock about a fixed point adjacent one of its approximate apices and is provided with a hardened steel roller 98 pivotally carried on a pin 99 adjacent another of the apices of the member 95. The thi'd apex of the member 95 carries a pin |00 to which the upper ends of the links 9I are pivoted. The links 9| as stated, are of insulating material and so also is the power transmitting means consistng of the spaced levers 95. The lever means 95 is spring urged to rock in a counterclockwise direction by means of the spring o.

The operation of the switch mechanism will be readily understood from a consideration of Figures 2, 3 and 7. Assume that the parts are in the position shown in Figura 2 and that an overload occurs drawing the plunger 34 downwardly and forcing the plunger 35 downwardly, thus depressing the roller 98 and the lever means 95. This causes the links 9! to draw the roller 90 upwardly towards the projecting point 89. This stretches the springs 94 and holds the movable contacts firmly in engagement with the stationary contacts as the tendency is to turn the levers 69 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 9. Just pror to the time that the roller 90 arrives at the most outwardly projecting portion of the'cam 85, namely, the point 89 of the cam, the roller 98 strikes the enlarged portion 16 and thus initiates rapid opening motion of the movable contacts.

It is to be noted that at the time the roller 98 strikes the portion 16, the plunger is traveling downwardly at approximately its greatest speed as it has almost completed its downward travel and has its major portion within the winding 28. The roller 90 is thus quickly driven over the point 89 and thereafter bears on the fiat face 88. The extended springs 94 pull the roller downwardly, that is to say, along the slanting face 88 of the cam 86, see Figure 7, to the position shown in Figure 3. It is obvious that this causes a quick downward rocking of the levers 69, thereby carrying the movable contacts downwardly with them and maintaining or even increasing the speed of opening of the movable contacts. It is apparent that the arms 89 tend to rock in a clockwise direction after the roller 90 passes the point 89, for it is clear that as these arms rock downwardly and the roller 90 travels to ,the left along the slanting face 99, this motion allows the springs 94 to contract and therefore causes the arms 69 to continue their high speed opening motion and, if anything, to increase their speed of travel in a clockwise direction.

When the winding 28 is deenergized, the spring |0I rocks the power transmitting means 95 back 9 to the position shown in Figures 2 and '7, thus raising the plunger and causing the roller 90 to travel outwardly over the point 89 of the cam 86 onto the curved under face 01. It is clear that the arms 69 and the movable Contacts will now execute a quick closing stroke, i'or as the arms 69 rock in a caunterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, the roller 90 will move along the curved face 81 of the cam 06 to a position nea'er the axis of the shaft '!2, and thus will allow the springs 94 to contract. Thus the switch mechanism has a quick opening and a quick closing stroke.

During the opening stroke any arc that is formed between the movable 'and stationary contacts is blown into channels formed by the baffles and the side and intermediate walls of -the housing, see Figures 8-and 9. It will benoted that substantially individual housings composed of the side walls 54 and the adiacent intermediate walls provide independent arc chutes for each pair of contacts and thus serve to house or direct the arc and keep it away from other portions of the apparatus.

The circuit breaker is constructed to provide at least one first quick opening stroke followed by subsequent opening strokes so timed that the circuit breaker has the time current characteristics of a standard fuse. er is so designed that after a predetermined number of Operations occurring in rapid succession, it will lock itself out and will give a visual indication of its locked out condition. Also it is so designed that if less than the required number oi' Operations to produce lock-out occurs, the-device will reset itself so that the full number of Operations are thereafter required before it will arrive at lock-out position. These functions are accomplished by means hereinbelow described. The plunger'34 does not closely fit the fiber tube 28 and the oil below the plunger within the tube 28 freely fiows around the descending plunger. This displaced oil, however, passes through the passage 38 into the passage 39, see Figure 2. From Figures 12 and 13 it will be seen that the passage 39 communicates by means of a passage !02 with the upper end of a pumping cylinder !03 within which a pumping piston !04 is freely slidable. This pumping piston, as will be seen from Figure 14, is internally recessed and is urged upwardly by a light spring !05, the spring !05 being only sufficiently strong to raise the piston !04 to its uppermost position when there is no oil pressure above the piston. A passageway !05 extends from the lower end of the piston outwardly and freely communicates with the exterior oil except for the check valve 01. In other words, the oil is allowed free entrance but is prevented from passin'g downwardly through the passage !06. The passage !06 communicates by means of a lateral passage !08 with a counting cylinder !09, a check valve !0 preventing reverse flow of the liquid. Preferably a transverse pin I!! is located above the check valve !!o to prevent too great a displacement of the check valve. A counting piston !!2 is slidably positioned within ,the cylinder !09 and is provided with a head por- Also the circuit breaktion !!3 adapted to trip a toggle link mecha- 10 uncover the opening provided. however, the counting piston !!2 has not risen to a position to close theopening !!4. The purpose oi' this arrange- 'ment will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds The cylinder !03 alsohas a lateral passage !!5, see Figure 13, leading to the 'out- -side oil. This passage is normally closed by means of a check valve llyieldingiy held in placeby means of a bimetal spring member !!1.

The bimetal spring member H'! is so made that when the oil gets colder it tends to move to the left as viewed in Figure 13 and thus lessens.

the spring pressure on the check valve !!5. However, at no time is the spring pressure on the valve I! 8 completely relieved. In hot weather when the oil is heated and is thinner and is .thereby rendered more fluid, the bimetal spring 'by determining the upper point at which it-is arrested. This is accomplished by means of the set screw !2! threaded through the cover !22 of the cylinder !03, it beinggnoted that a suitable`gasket is interposed between the cover !22 and the walls of the cylinder !03. Preferably a lock nut !23 is provided for the set screw.

A tripping member !24 formed of insulating material is mounted directly above the piston !2 and is adapted to be moved upwardly by means of the extension !!3 oi' the piston !!2, see Figure 14, when the counting piston !2 has been moved upwardly a sumcient distance following a predetermined number of Operations of the circuit breaker. This insulating tripping member will be described hereinafter but for the purpose bf explanation ofthe hydraulic mechanism it is to be noted at this time that upward motion of the member !24 causes the circuit breaker to become locked in' open position against any further subsequent Operations. If desired, the member 24 may be provided also for thermostatic tripping motion. This is accomplished by providing a projecting pin !25, see Figures 12, 13 and 14, which projects laterally from the member !24 and is located above a thermostatic element !26 which moves upwardly when it becomes heated. Thus upward motion of the member !26 also serves to actuate the tripping member !24 and lock the circuit breaker in open position.

The operation of the hydraulic mechanism is as follows: Assume that an overload occurs. The plunger 34 isdrawn downwardly against the action of the spring urged power transmitting member and makes a quick downward stroke, the oil displaced by the plunger 34 on its downward motion passing through the passageways 38, 39, see Figure 2, through the passage !02, see Figures 12 and 13, into the pumping cylinder !03. This forces the piston !04 downwardly and uncovers the passage !5, see Figure 13, and also the passage !!4, see Figure 14. The oil above the piston !04 is freely discharged through the passageway !!4 and also is discharged through the passageway !!5 against the spring urged check valve !!0. The downward motion of the piston l 1 !04 pumps oil into the cylinder !09, thus raising the counting piston !!2. If the circuit breaker is designed to have 'one quick operation followed by subsequent Operations having the time current characteristics of a fuse link, the first pumping stroke of the pumping piston !04 causes the counting piston !!2 to rise to a sufllcient height to completely close the escape oriflce !!4, see Figure 14. If, however, it is desired to have the circuit breaker execute two quick strokes before it assumes the characteristics of a fuse for subsequent operatons, then the design will be such as to require two strokes of the pumping pisten !04 in order to cause thecounting piston !!2 to close the escape oriflce !4. This may be done in several difi'erent ways by providing different sizes for the cylinders !03 and !09 if desired, or by making the counting piston !2 longer or shorter or may be accomplished by adjusting the set screw !2! so as to limit the stroke of the pumping piston !04. The adjustment of the set screw !2! also determines the number of Operations for any given design of cumulative hydraulic' mechanism that will occur before lock-out takes place. In addition to this the extension !!3 of the counting piston !2, see Figure 14, may be varied in height. For instance, if it is desired to have lock-out 'occur with a smaller number of Operations, the

After the plunger 34 has opened the switch means, it tends to rise due to the action of the spring pressed power transmitting member 35, see Figure 2. The first portion of its risnq motion is substantially unopposed as it quickly sucks oil from the cylinder !03, the piston !04 with a transverse shaft !21 which. is provided freely rising until arrested by the set screw !2!, i

see Figure 13. The remaining portion of the upward stroke of the plunger 34 is delayed as it now has to suck oil through the restricted orice !!8, see Figure 13, the oil passing upwardly through the passageway !9 past the check valve !20. The size of the oriflce !!8 will determine the extent of delay between successive Operations of the circuit breaker.

Assume that the fault persists and the escape orifice !I 4, see Figure 14, is closed by the counting piston !!2. The plunger 34 is again drawndownwardly thus opening the switch means but the operation of the circuit breaker is not a sbstantially instantaneous operation but assumes substantially the time current characteristics of a fuse. This is caused by the restriction imnosd by the spring bimeal member II'!` see Figura 13, which causes the check valve !!6 to offer a predetermined degree of resistance to the flow of oil outwardly through the passage !!5 which is now the only discharge passage for the oil displaced by the plunger 34. By having the spring member !!1 formed as a bimetal element correction is obtained due to change in the viscositv, of the oil for change in temperature, thus maintaining the time current characteristics of a fuse irrespective of variations in temperature.

After the circuit breaker has executed a predetermined number of Operations in quick succession, the counting iston !!2 has risen a sufllcient height to trip the trip member 24 and cause lock-out of the circuit breaker, the mechanism hereinafter described being so arranged as to hold the circuit 'breaker in open position when it is locked out.

For different current ratings different oils 2 'with an eyeleted, manually operable handle !23 on the outer side ot the cap, such handle being positioned within an open' bottom housing !23 and normally being hidden by the housing. The Operating handle !28 is adapted to be displayed as indicated in the dash line of Figure 3 when the circuit breaker is locked out. The circuit breaker is adapted to be manually opened when the handle !28 is pulled downwardly as by means of a switch stick for instance. The circuit breaker is adapted to be reset when the handle is pushed upwardly as tor example by means of a switch stick. The circuit breaker is trip fre'e and will operate no matter whether the handle is held or is being moved back to resetting position. A small lever !30 is rigidly mounted on the shaft !2'!, see Figures 2, 3 and 4. This small lever !30 is provided with an outwardly projecting pin !3l to which one end ot a 'spring !32 is attached. The other end of the spring is attached to a projecting pin '133 carried by a bell crank lever !34 loosely mounted on the shaft !21. The bell crank lever !34 is provided with a shouldered portion !35 against which the lever !30 normally bears. A second bell crank lever !36 is loosely mounted on the shaft !21. One end of the bell crank lever !36 is connected by means of an insuating link !3'! with the upper end of the plunger 34. The other end of the bell crank lever !36 is positioned in line with a projecting pin !38 carried by the bell crank lever !34. An inverted channelshaped link !39 connects the bell crank !34 and the tripping member 24 and is pivoted to such members by means of the pins !38 and !30' respectively.

The tripping member !24 is pivotally mounted as indicated at !40, see Figures 2 and 3, and constitutes with the link !30 a toggle link mechanism. The channel-shaped link !39 has a projecting portion that normally rests on the top of the tripping member !24 when the toggle link is extended and is slightly past dead center, as shown in Figure 2. This, therefore, prevents downward Collapse of the toggle link mechanism. A spring !4! extends between the pins !30 and !40 and urges the toggle link mechanism towards collapsing motion. When the toggle link mechanism is collapsed in an upward direction from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3, the bell crank lever !34 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction and the pin I 38 strikes the bell crank lev'er !36 and forces the plunger 34 downwardly, thus opening the circuit breaker and locking the circuit breaker in open position.

As has been previously described it is to be understood that the tripping member !24 is tripped by the cumulative hydraulic mechanism after a predetermined number of Operations of the circuit breaker occurring in rapid succession, and when this has happened, the circuit breaker is locked in open position. It may be manually reset by means of the eyeleted handle !28 which may be engaged by a switch stick. This eyeleted handle is rigidiy mounted on the shaft !21 and is normally hidden or housed within the housing !29. However, when the circuit breaker is locked out as shown in Figure 3, the handle assumes an indicating position as shown in the dash line in Figure 3. In order to reset the circuit breaker the operator merely engages the eyelet ot the handle !26 with a switch stick and pushes the handle upwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 2. This straightens out the toggle link mechanism composed of the members !39 and !24 and allows the toggle to drop slightly past dead center under the influence of gravity to the position shown in Figure 2. Thereafter when the operator removes the switch stick from the handle !28, the spring !4l tends to collapse the toggle link mechanism in a downward position from that shown in Figure 2.

This, as previously stated, is resisted by the por-" passes beneath the link !39 of the toggle link mechanism and causes the link !39 to pivot about the pin !38 and raise the knee oi' the toggle, thus allowing the spring !4! to complete the collapse of the toggle link mechanism.

It is to be noted from the previous description of the switch mechanism that no matter how the circuit breaker is opened, whether manually, thermally or by the action of the cumulative hydraulic mechanism, that the switch mechanism executes a very quick opening stroke. Also no matter how slowly the handle may be pushed back from its exposed position corresponding to the position of the parts shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2, nevertheless the switch mechanism closes with a quick motion.

If desired a counter !42, see Figure 6, may be positioned within the hood !29 and may have' i its downward stroke, the roller !64 strikesthe' means of a crank !43 carried by a small rock shaft !44 extendng inwardly and provided with a lever !45 at its inner end, see Figure 4. The

lei-'er !45 is positioned in line with a projecting Figures 16 and 17 show a further form oi switch mechanism. The insulating housing therefor has a top portion I", main side walls !48, and intermediate partition walls !49 corresponding to the portions 53, 54 and 51 of Figure 8. Baffles Me', see Figure 17, are positioned between the intermediate partitions !49 and the side walls !46 and correspond to the baffies 60 and 6! previously described The construction of movable and stationary contacts in this form of the invention is substantially the same as that previously described. The movable Contacts are indicated by the reference character and the stationary contacts are indicated by the reference character !5!.

Only one set of contacts has been shown in Figure 17 but it is to be understood that the contacts are duplicated on each side of the device as shown in Figure 8 for the first form oi the invention. The movable contacts !50 are electrically connected by means of the connecting rod !52 provided with an insulating shield !53. The movable contacts are carried by insulating levers III pivoted as indicated at !55. The insulating shield or spacer !53 is revolubly mounted on the rod !625 and the guter ends of a pair of springs !68, see

Figure 16, are hocked over the spacer !53 and the curved or hooked ends are positioned within grooves iormed in the spacer !53.- Theinner ends i of the springs !56 are hooked around a pivot pin !51. The pivot pin !51 Joins a pair of insulating levers !56 with a pair of insulating links !59. The insulating levers !56 are pivotally mounted at a stationary point as indicated at !60 and the insulating links !59 are pivotally joined as indicated at !61 to a pair of spaced insulating members !62 which constitute power transmitting` means and which are pivoted as indicated at !63 at a stationary point and which carry a ha'rdened steel roller !64 against which the plunger 35 or the electromagnetic means is adapted tobear. It V is to be noted that when the switch is in closed position as shown in Figures 16 and 17 the notched out portion of the intermediate parti-- tlons !49 constitutes a stop and engages the insulating sleeve !53.

The operation of this form of the invention is y to its uppermost position in a manner which will appear hereinafter. The springs !56 also cause a quick closing stroke to be executed by the movable Contacts. v p

Assume that the parts are in the full line position shown in Figure 16, which corresponds to the full line position shown diagrammatically in Figure 18. As the plunger 35 descends, it will rock the member !62 and through the medium of the link means !59 will rock the lever means !58. As the plunger nears the final portion of insulating shield !53 and causes the initialquck opening stroke of the movable Contacts, as it will.

be recollected from the previous description that the plunger is executing very rapid motion as it;`

nears the limit of its downward stroke. At r p proximately the same time it will be seen thatthe center line of the springs !56 crosses the pivot point !55 of the switch arms or levers !54. v 'Furlines in Figure 16.

the final position. i V The springs !56' are effectiveto rai,setthe plunger 35. It isto be 'noted froman exarnina tion of the diagrammatic view -of Figure 19 that the springs !56 will cause the lever 'means !58 to rock about the pivot !58. As the Upward motion continues it is to be noted that the center line of the spring means !53 crosses the pivot !Si-3 01 the switch arms or levers !54. This position is shown in dotted lines in Figure 19. V On continued uoward motion of the lever means !58 the line 15 of pull of the spring crosses over the pivot !55 of the switch arms !54 and consequently the movabie contacts are quickly moved to switch closed position.

Instead of using the lever means !58, cam means could be employed to guide the pivot point !51 in any desired direction. Instead of having the pivot point !51 follow along a curved or arouate path as shown in Figures 18 and 19, it could be made to follow an initially curved path and thercafter a straight path by means of the curved upper portion !65 and the straight lower portion !86 of a cam member !61 upon which a roller !68 rides, the roller !68 being mounted on the pivot !51. This Construction may be employed to give a greater extension to the spring means !56 when the switch is executing opening motion. A comparison of Figures 19 and 20 will show that the spring means !55 is extended a greater amount in the form shown in Figure 20 than in the form shown in Figure 19. This expedient may be employed to have a greater spring force acting on the switch means for its opening stroke. However, the pivoted levers !58 shown in Figures 18 and 19 are preferable to th`e-cam means !61.

It will be seen that in the' first form of the invention shown in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 8, the spring u is so arranged that it overpowers the eil'ect of the spring 94 when the switch means is being moved through the first portion of the closing motion of the switch means until the roller 9!! rides over the point of the cam 86. However, in the forms of -the invention shown in Figures 16 through 20 the same spring means is employed to actuate the switch contacts for completing their opening stroke and for executing their closing stroke and also for raising the plunger of the electromagnetic means.

The contacts and associated Operating mechanism forms the subject matter of our copending application Se'rial No. 592,*114, filed May 7, 1945, now Patent No. 2,555,168, May 29, 1951, for Circuit Breakers.

The same type of electromagnetic means and hydraulic means are employed for all forms of the invention. The hydraulic means is so constructed that there is sufficient leakage around the counting piston that it will settle back to its initial position if there are not a sufficient number of Operations for tripping or if they do not not recur with sufiicient rapidity so that the device will reset itself for the full number of Operations.

In all forms of the invention the switch construction is a unitary structure and may be removed or replaced as a unit without disturbing other portions of the apparatus. Also it is to be noted that new coils or windings can be substituted whenever desired with a minimum disturbance of the parts of the device, it being merely necessary to disconnect the coil and remove the switch means as a unit and thereafter remove the coil. Also it is to be noted that the entire mechanism is Suspended from the cover or cap and may be lifted bodily from the can for inspection or repair.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim:

1. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising switch means, normally quick acting switch Operating means for opening said switch means in response to overload, means for re the discharge portion of said first mentioned hydraulic means to cause a delayed response of said switch Operating means to overload.

2. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising switch means, normally quick acting switch Operating means responsive to overload for Operating said switch means, means for automatically altering the action of said switch operating means to cause a slower response of said switch Operating means to overload after at least one quick operation, lock-out means for looking the circuit breaker in open position after a predetermined number of Operations occurring in quick succession, cumulative means for controlling said lock-out means, and adjustable means i'or varying the number of slower Operations.

3. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising switch means, normally quick acting switch Operating means responsive to overload for Operating said switch means, means for automatically altering the action of said switch operating means to cause a slower response of said switch Operating means to overload after at least one quick operation, lock-out means for looking said circuit breaker in open position after a predetermined total number of Operations occurring in quick succession, and means for varying the total number of Operations at which said lockout means will lock said circuit breaker in open position.

4. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising switch means, normally quick acting switch Operating means for opening said switch means in response to overload, means for reclosing said switch means, hydraulic means actuated by said switch Operating means when said switch Operating means moves towards switch open position, -said hydraulic means including a discharge portion, a valve, bimetal spring means controlling said valve, and means effective after at least one opening motion of said switch means for forcing said hydraulic means to discharge past said valve.

5. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, separable contacts, electroresponsive means for causing separation of said contacts in response to a predetermined electrical condition of the circuit, said contacts automatically reclosing in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means responsive to a sequence of a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interrupting Operations to cause said contacts to remain separated, fluid dashpot means for delaying separation of said contacts a predetermined time after the occurrence of said predetermined condition and for delaying reclosure of said contacts a predetermined time after a circuit interrupting operation, said dashpot means being normally vented so that on the first interrupting operation of any such sequence of cir-' cuit interrupting Operations said contacts will be separated substantially instantaneously, means responsive to such a first interrupting operation for closing said vent so that all reclosing operations and subsequent interrupting Operations will be delayed by said dashpot means, and means responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time, at least after any reclosing operation in such 17 a sequnce of Operations. tor restoring said dashpot means to its normal vented condition.

8. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker. separable contacts, electroresponsive means for causing separation of said contacts in response to a predetermined electrical condition of the circuit, said contacts automatically reclosing in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means responsive to a sequence of a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interrupting operations to cause said contacts to remain separated, fluid dashpot means for delaying separation of said contacts a predetermined time after the occurrence of said predetermined condition, said dashpot meansbeing normally vented so that on the first interruptingoperation of any such sequence of circuit interrupting Operations said contacts will be separated substantially instantaneously, means responsive to a predetermined interrupting operation for closing said vent so that subsequent interrupting Operations will be delayed by said dashpot means, and means responsive to the lapse of a predetermined time, at least after any reclosing operation in such a sequence of Operations, for restoring said dashpot means to its normal vented condition.

7. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, separable contacts, electroresponsive means having lost motion with respect to said contacts for separating said contacts in response to a predetermined electrical condition of the circuit, said contacts automatically reclosing in response to a circuit interrupting operation, fluid dashpot means having a part movable with said electroresponsive means for delaying movement of said electroresponsive means at least during movement thereof relative to said contacts to thereby' delay separation of said contacts a predetermined time after the occurrence of said predetermined electrical condition, means responsive to a sequence of a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interrupting Operations for causing said contacts to remain separated, means for venting said dashpot means on at least one predetermined circuit interrupting operation oi' any such sequence of Operations, and means for constricting the venting of said dashpot means on at least one other predetermined circuit interrupting operation whereby on said one predetermined operation the contacts are separated substantially instantaneously upon the occurrence of said predetermined electrical condition, and on another operation of any such sequence of operations said dashpot means is effective to delay separation of said contacts.

8. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, separable contacts, electroresponsive means for causing separation of said contacts'in response to a predetermined electrical condition of the circuit, said contacts automatically reclosing in response to a circuit interrupting operation, means responsive to a sequence of a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interrupting Operations to cause said contacts to remain separated/ fluid dashpotmeans for delaying separation of said contacts a predetermined time after the occurrence of said predetermined condition a vent for said dashpot means, valve means controlling said vent, means responsive to at least one interrupting operation of said breaker for Operating said valve means, whereby separation of said contacts will occur at different times after the occurrence of said predetermined conditions on said one interrupting operation and at least the closely succeeding interrupting operation, and means'for' Operating said valve means to its original position following said one interrupting operation in the event a closely succeeding interrupting operation does not occur. v

9. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker, separable contacts, electroresponsive means for causing separation of said contacts in response to a predetermined electrical condition of the circuit, said contacts automatically reclosing in response to a circuit interrupting operation. means responsive to a sequence of a predetermined number of closely successive circuit interrupting Operations to cause said contacts to remain separated, fluid dashpot means having a movable part actuated at least during a part of each circuit interrupting operation, means rendering said dashpot means ineffective to delay at least one predetermined circuit interrupting operation of any such sequence of Operations whereby at least on said one operation the contacts are relatively quickly separated after the occurrence of said predetermined electrical condition, means responsive to a predetermined operation in any such sequence of Operations to render said dashpot means effective to delay the next'succeeding circuit interrupting operation of such sequence, and means rendering said lastmentioned means inefiective after the lapse of a predetermined time.

10 In a circuit interrupter including separable contacts, means for separating said contacts, said means comprising a solenoid in series with said contacts, a dashpot surrounded by said solenoid and having a dscharge-intake port normally allowing free discharge therethrough, a magnetic piston reciprocable in said dashpot and connected with at least one of said contacts for separating it from the other of said contacts, biasing means normally holding said piston in a position outwardly with respect to said dashpot and with said contacts closed, normally inactive lockout means for holding said contacts separated after a series of circuit opening Operations, and cumulative means responsive to circuit opening Operations for rendering said lockout means active, said cumulative means serving as a valve closing said port after a series of circuit opening Operations, whereby a subsequent circuit opening operation will be delayed.

11. In a circuit interrupter, contact means, means for opening said contact means, said last mentioned means comprising a solenoid in series with said contact means, a dashpot surrounded by said solenoid and having a discharge port normally allowing free discharge therethrough, a magnetic pisten reciprocable in said dashpot and opratively connected to said contact means for opening said contact means, biasing means normally holding said pisten in a position outwardly with respect to said dashpot and with said contact means closed, normally restrained lockout means biased towards lockout position for holding said contact means open when said lockout means is released, and cumulative means responsive to circuit opening operations for restricting said port when advanced a predetermined distance, said cumulative means having means for releasing said lockout means when advanced to its maximum position.

12. A circuit interrupter comprising a magnetic plunger structure arranged to occupy a first and a second position, a solenoid for moving said magnetic plunger structure in one direction from said first position towards said second position upon the occurrence of an overload.

- switch means having an Operating member conter and movable to the other side oi center and\ arranged to hold said switch means open through the medium of said magnetic plunger structure when moved to the said other side of center,

means responsive to a plurality of Operations of said circuit interrupter occurrlng in rapid succession for moving said over-center lock-out means to said other side of center, and energy transmitting means for transmitting energy from -said lock-out means to said magnetic plunger structure to hold said magnetic plunger structure in said second position thereby holding said switch means open when said over-center lockout means is moved to said other side of center.

13. A circuit interrupter comprising a magnetic plunger structure arranged to occupy a first and a second position, a solenoid for moving said magnetic plunger structure in one direction from said first position towards said sec- 'ond position upon the occurrence of an overload, switch means having an Operating member continuously in engagement with said magnetic plunger structure and arranged to open when said magnetic plunger structure is moved in said one direction to said second position, over"- center lock-out means normally held on one side of center and movable to the other side of center and arranged to hold said switch means open through the medium of said magnetic plunger structure when moved to the said other side of center, means responsive-to a plurality of operations of said circuit interrupter occurring in rapid succession for moving said over-center lock-out means to said other side of center, energy transmitting means for transmitting energy from said lock-out means to said magnetic plunger structure to hold said magnetic plunger structure in said second position thereby holding said switch means open when said over-center lockout means is moved to said other side of center, and biasing means biasing said magnetic plunger structure towards its first position. ANTHONY- VAN RYAN.

CARL SCHINDLER;

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